Microtesla Magnetic Therapy for cognitive impairment in post-acute sequelae of SARS CoV-2: A randomized controlled feasibility study

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Abstract Background Cognitive impairment has significant implications for function and quality of life and is common in individuals with post-acute sequelae of SARS CoV-2, also known as long COVID (LC). Emerging evidence suggests that sustained neuroinflammation, cerebrovascular dysfunction, and mitochondrial impairment are contributors to cognitive symptoms. Microtesla Magnetic Therapy (MMT) is a low-amplitude radiofrequency magnetic field intervention that has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects in preclinical models, suggesting it may be valuable in the management of cognitive impairment from LC and other neurological disorders. This study is the first randomized controlled trial to evaluate MMT for LC-related cognitive impairment. Objective To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of an at-home MMT intervention in individuals with moderate-to-severe cognitive impairment from LC. Methods In this prospective feasibility study, 30 participants with LC-related cognitive impairment were randomized (2:1) to receive active or sham MMT. Participants self-administered 15-minute treatments at home with remote monitoring twice weekly for 4 weeks using a head-worn device that delivered a nonthermal radiofrequency magnetic field to the whole brain. Feasibility was defined as completion of at least 80% of prescribed treatments and all study visits. Secondary outcomes included safety, cognitive function, and self-reported mood and quality of life assessed at baseline, post-treatment (Week 4), and follow-up (Week 8). Results Feasibility was high, with 100% treatment adherence among participants who completed the study and strong usability ratings for at-home administration. There were no device-related adverse events. Compared with sham, participants receiving active MMT showed significantly greater improvements from baseline to Week 8 in WAIS-IV Digit Span Sequencing (p= 0.026), HVLT-R Recall (p= 0.044), and D-KEFS Color Naming (p= 0.049). Additional measures of attention, processing speed, and executive function demonstrated favorable trends in the active group. Emotional well-being, assessed by the SF-36, improved significantly in the active group at Week 8 compared with sham (p= 0.017), and mood symptoms showed clinically meaningful improvement. Conclusions Administration of the MMT intervention at home was feasible, safe, and well tolerated in individuals with cognitive impairment from LC. Preliminary findings suggest sustained clinically meaningful improvements in multiple cognitive domains and mood following treatment. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06739668 , https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06739668 , 2024-12-17

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